Chapter 50

The next morning, they prepared breakfast and got ready to depart. According to Gainas, Lang and the others had already left at dawn while Mary and the others were still asleep. A letter left for Mary stated that they would go to Sylvin first to search for Anna's mother.

Though they are troublesome brothers, they are indeed exceptional men in society. It's a pity that the condition "as long as Mary is not around" is attached.

Since Lang and the others suggested it themselves, it should be fine to leave the matter of Anna's mother to them.

"The meal is ready, but since they left earlier than expected, the servants might not have caught up, and there might be some shortcomings."

"Don't worry about it. My brothers always wake up very early on the day they leave. If they miss a meal, it's their own fault. They'll just buy some snacks when they get hungry."

When Mary said it would be fine, Gainas's cheeks twitched. He seemed to want to say something but held back at the last moment. He probably wanted to say, "They act like children." I completely agree.

"I want to leave the matter of Anna's mother to them, but I don't want to be outdone by my brothers regarding the territory. Let's go too! It's time to get a head start!"

"Please, no such unsettling remarks... Patrick, please don't come over with a smile because of unsettling remarks!"

When Gainas hastily tried to stop her, Mary laughed merrily.

Thus, they set out... but it was a bit difficult for everyone to fit into one carriage. So, they also prepared a carriage from the Eldland family.

"Miss Mary, even if you ride in a different carriage, p-please don't forget about me...!"

Parfait's desperate plea was heartbreaking. What could be so sad? Rather, why does he think he'll be forgotten just because he's in a different carriage? However, when he held Gainas's hand as he got in, he didn't seem to mind. He was probably enjoying the two of them being alone in the carriage.

"Is that girl a crybaby?"

When Anna asked curiously, everyone in the carriage nodded simultaneously. Parfait is a crybaby. In fact, he cries so often that calling him a crybaby is an understatement. Mary didn't feel like defending him in this regard. However, in response to this, Anna hid herself in Adi's tailcoat and admitted that she had cried last night. She peeked out from the gap in the tailcoat, looking quite embarrassed. She was probably ashamed of being a crybaby too.

When Adi heard this, he looked worried and gently patted Anna's head. As he stroked her hair, which was the same rusty color as his, he glanced at Mary and said brightly, "Speaking of crying, the young lady used to cry a lot when she was about Anna's age. Her crying voice could be heard even from the far end of the mansion."

"Adi, stop talking about me. Besides, I cried in a more refined and delicate way."

"Only when you were faking it. When you faked it, you cried so delicately and weakly, like a kitten curled up, but when you cried for real, it was terrible..."

"Talking about my childhood is unfair! Alicia, what are you writing in your notebook so eagerly? Patrick, take that notebook from her!"

"By the way, Patrick rarely cries, but there was one time when he fell and cried loudly."

"Gotcha! The topic has shifted to Patrick! Tell me more about it!"

Mary, relieved that the topic was no longer about her, started to egg Adi on. Alicia, who was happy to hear anyone's story, was eagerly looking forward to Patrick's story.

Of course, Patrick was flustered. The Albert family and the Dice family have been close for a long time, and Adi has known Patrick since they were young. Since Adi is five years older, his memories are naturally more vivid.

"Memories, huh. I remember Patrick once complained with tears in his eyes that his younger brother was getting all the attention."

"Rather than that, we should talk about the Sylvin territory now. Alicia, don't you think so?"

"I once got into a fight with the orphanage teacher and ran away, setting up a tent behind the orphanage and crying!"

Perhaps mistaking Patrick's attempt to change the topic as her turn, Alicia started to tell her own story. She seemed to have no shame, probably because she saw it as a cute childhood story.

However, setting up a tent behind the orphanage was a rather drastic way to run away, even though it was close by. Mary, putting aside her own crying, mocked her, saying, "You were such a troublesome child."

"Three days later, a typhoon came, and the teacher came to get me."

"The teacher must have been so troubled with a troublesome, country girl like you. ...You lasted three days!?"

"The teacher apparently carried me back to my room after I fell asleep and returned me to the tent in the morning, but I didn't realize it and spent three days in the tent."

Alicia smiled bashfully as she talked about her childhood. Was this a story that could be brushed off with a bashful smile? After all, setting up a tent and living there for three days, at whatever age, was quite an extreme action.

"Compared to this troublesome country girl, we were such well-behaved and easy-to-manage children, weren't we? Anna, don't you think so?"

Mary gave Alicia a cold look and laughed at her. Hugging Anna closer to show solidarity, Anna, understanding this, laughed and clung to Mary. Feeling left out, Alicia pouted.

Mary couldn't help but call her a "country bumpkin with a pout." Feeling better from the exchange, Anna laughed happily and puffed out her cheeks like Alicia.

As the carriage entered the territory of Sylvin, the scenery gradually changed. However, it wasn't as stark as the difference between rich and poor; it could be seen as just a difference in the country. The changes in the buildings and shops were noticeable, but the people passing by all seemed peaceful.

"Well, it's not as bad as they say."

Mary sighed in relief as she looked out the window. A young couple was walking by. The mother was holding a small baby, and two young boys, who looked to be about a year apart, were clinging to the father's legs. There was no particular sign of poverty; they looked like a typical, peaceful family.

"Maybe everyone is exaggerating. But if it's like this, there's no need to forcibly take it from the lord."

"Mary, it's different."

"...Different?"

Mary looked at Patrick, wondering what he meant by his low voice. His expression as he looked out the window was quite stern, as if he was pitying something far away.

"What do you mean by different?"

"I've only heard rumors, but we'll soon cross the border. You'll see then."

"Border?"

If it were a national border, it would make sense, but what kind of border within the country?

However, from Patrick's demeanor, it seemed futile to ask for more details. He probably wanted them to see it with their own eyes. If so, they should wait quietly. According to Patrick, the border wasn't far away, so it would be quicker to see it with their own eyes rather than force him to talk.

Thinking this, Mary also turned her gaze to the passing scenery.

The scenery changed dramatically, and a heavy, gloomy atmosphere seeped in from outside the window almost immediately.